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Here we are in the National Football League playoffs but for us that it means it is time to discuss the potential class of the 2017 Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Finalists have been announced, and along with regular contributor, Spheniscus, we will go back and forth with each candidate and openly debate as to which player would be a worthy Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee.

Committee Chairman: Spheniscus, we return to that powerful Buccaneers defense with John Lynch, who doesn’t hurt his case by remaining in the public eye as a broadcaster. I know that shouldn’t matter, but do you think that helps to put him over the hump? I think he already has the Hall resume but when you see him weekly and his broadcasting peers constantly state that opinion, it can only accelerate his cause.

It is always onward and upward for us at Notinhalloffame.com, and as such we wanted to take the time to update our Football Futures section. This is the portion of the website where you have the opportunity to let us know your opinion as whether retired players who are not yet eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame should be enshrined in Canton. This process also helps us establish where these players should be ranked once eligible.

We already had the Football Futures from 2016, 2017 and 2018 up, and recently we have updated our 2017 Football Futures Section.

Todd Heap, a Tight End who went to two Pro Bowls and was once named the NFL Alumni Tight End of the Year.

We will be continuing our work on the football futures and you will be seeing that shortly. In the meantime we are hopeful that we will receive your input and votes on this batch of future eligible football players.

The core of our Notinhalloffame.com has always been our sports lists. As such, it is with great pride that we have updated our Pro Football Hall of Fame list of those to consider for enshrinement in Canton, Ohio

The 2017 Hall of Fame Class added five players who we had listed (LaDainian Tomlinson, Jason Taylor, Terrell Davis, Kurt Warner and Morten Andersen), and we did not have trouble replacing them. Actually, we have increased our 100 slightly to 103, for an impending increase in the months (ok, maybe years to come).

The revised ranking is based on your votes and comments and the addition of newly eligible former players.Let’s get right to it!

Former Baltimore Ravens Linebacker Ray Lewis debuts at the number one spot. The 13 Time Pro Bowl Selection was chosen for seven First Team All Pro slots and took Baltimore to two Super Bowl wins. Lewis is likely to get inducted on his first try.

This drops perennial snub, Jerry Kramer to number 2. Kramer was a Finalist nine times and helped Green Bay win the first two Super Bowls. He is the only member of the NFL 75th Anniversary Team not to be enshrined.

Randy Moss makes his first appearance on the list at #3. The former Wide Receiver is the highest ranked skill player and his appearance makes it harder for Terrell Owens to get in. Moss was a Pro Bowler seven times and is third all-time in Receiving Yards and second all-time in Receiving Touchdowns.

Former Pittsburgh Steelers Offensive Lineman, Alan Faneca, remains at number four. Faneca, a nine time Pro Bowler was a Finalist for Canton in the past two seasons.

Chuck Howley comes in at number five. The MVP of Super Bowl V was a six time Pro Bowl Selection and was chosen for five consecutive First Team All Pros.

Another former Pittsburgh Steeler, L.C. Greenwood is in the top ten at number six. Greenwood has been named a Finalist six times and was a part of the Steelers dynasty that won four Super Bowls in the 1970’s. He was ranked #5 last year.

Brian Dawkins returns at number seven. “Weapon X” was eligible for the first time last year and many expected that he would get inducted on his first try. He didn’t but was a Finalist last yea

At number eight is Terrell Owens, who dropped two spots from last year. T.O was a finalist in his first two years of eligibility but has been very vocal about being passed over. This could really cost him. He is second all-time in Receiving Yards, third in Receiving Touchdowns and eight in Receptions.

Brian Urlacher debuts at number nine, making three new eligible in the top ten. The career Chicago Bear went to eight Pro Bowls and was selected for four First Team All Pros.

Rounding out the top ten is Johnny Robinson who is known for his time with the Kansas City Chiefs. The former Safety has been a Hall of Fame Finalist six times and has a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs.

Another high profile debut entry is Ronde Barber, the long time Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defensive Back who appears at #15.

Offensive Lineman, Steve Hutchinson makes his first appearance on the list at #34.

Former three time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots, Richard Seymour comes in at #48. He is a seven time Pro Bowler.

Matt Birk, the Center who split his career with the Minnesota Vikings and the Baltimore Ravens, is ranked at #67.

Jeff Saturday, who protected Peyton Manning for Years and went to six Pro Bowls makes his debut at #76.

We have also added Tony Boselli, who was a Finalist last year, but was unranked by us previously. The man considered to be the greatest Jacksonville Jaguar of all-time finally makes his first appearance on our list at number 81.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com have always been fond of the fact that the Pro Football Hall of Fame has preliminary nominees; so much so that we incorporated that in both our Fictitious Athlete and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. As such, we are pleased to bring to you the preliminary nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

All of the first year candidates will be underlined, and the returning Finalists will have an asterisk.

Perhaps the biggest head scratcher is that Steve Smith was chosen. We have to wonder if they thought they were voting for the recently retired Steve Smith Sr., who is eligible for Canton in 2022 and has over 14,000 Receiving Yards. This Steve Smith played five years and has 2,641 Receiving Yards.

We are guessing that Smith won’t make the next round.

Jerry Kramer and Robert Brazile have already advanced as Senior Finalists. Bobby Beathard has been announced as the Contributor Finalist

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate those who made it this far and we will be eagerly anticipating those who will advance to the Semi-Finals.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced their Semi-Finalists are out and it brings out many familiar faces.

Let’s get right to the 27 Semi-Finalists:

Steve Atwater: Safety, DEN 1989-98 & NYJ 1999. Atwater is a Semi-Finalist for the seventh year in a row and he was a two time All-Pro Selection. Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ronde Barber: Cornerback/Safety, TB 1997-2012. Barber is entering his first year of eligibility and is a three time First Team All-Pro Selection. Barber helped the Buccaneers win Super Bowl XXXVII. Ranked #15 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Tony Boselli: Offensive Tackle, JAX 1995-01 & HOU 2002. Boselli is a Semi-Finalist for the third time and was a five time Pro Bowl Selection. He was also a three time First Team All Pro. Ranked #81 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Isaac Bruce: Wide Receiver, LAR/STL 1994-07 & SF 2008-09. Bruce is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth straight time and is a four time Pro Bowler. Bruce had 15,208 Receiving Yards over his career, which is fourth all-time overall. Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com.

LeRoy Butler. Safety, GB 1990-01. While Butler has been Hall of Fame eligible since 2007, this is his first appearance as a Semi-Finalist. Butler was both a four time First Team All Pro and Pro Bowl Selection and he is also a Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #83 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Don Coryell: Coach, STL 1973-77 & SD 1978-86. Don “Air” Coryell is a Semi-Finalist for the tenth time and for the ninth year in a row.

Roger Craig: Running Back, SF 1983-90, LAR 1991 & MIN 1992-93. Craig returns as a Semi-Finalist for the tenth time in a row. He is a former NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1988) and a three time Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #11 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Dawkins: Safety, PHI 1996-08. Dawkins is a Semi-Finalist for the second year in a row and was a Finalist last year, which was his first year of eligibility. He went to nine Pro Bowls and was chosen for four First Team All Pros. Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Alan Faneca: Offensive Guard, PIT 1998-07, NYJ 2008-09 & ARI 2010. Faneca is a Semi-Finalist for the third time and was also a Finalist the last two years. Faneca went to nine Pro Bowls, was a six time First Team All Pro Selection and is a former Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Torry Holt: Wide Receiver, STL1999-08 & JAX 2009. Holt is a six time Pro Bowler who twice led the NFL in Receiving Yards. This is his fourth time as a Semi-Finalist. Ranked #13 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Steve Hutchinson: Offensive Guard, SEA 2001-05, MIN 2006-11 & TEN 2012. Hutchinson is in his first year of eligibility and is a five time First Team All Pro Selection. Ranked #36 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Joe Jacoby: Offensive Tackle, WAS 1981-93. Jacoby is a Semi-Finalist for the eighth time and was a Finalist last year. The two time Pro Bowler was also a three time Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Edgerrin James: Running Back, IND 1999-05, ARI 2006-08 & SEA 2009. James is a four time Pro Bowl Selection and a two time Rushing Champion. This is his fourth time in a row as a Semi-Finalist. Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Jimmy Johnson: Coach, DAL 1989-93 & MIA 1996-99. Johnson is a two time Super Bowl winner and a five time Semi-Finalist.

Ty Law: Cornerback, NE 1995-04, NYJ 2005 & 08, KC 2006-07 & DEN 2009. Law is a five time Pro Bowler and three time Super Bowl Champion. He is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth time and was a Finalist last year. Ranked #30 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Ray Lewis. Linebacker, BAL 1996-12. This is the first year of Ray Lewis’ Hall of Fame eligibility and likely his last as he should get in immediately. He is a two time Super Bowl Champion and also a two time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com.

John Lynch. Safety, TB 1993-03 & DEN 2003-07. Lynch is a Semi-Finalist for the sixth time in a row and has also been a past Finalist. Lunch went to nine Pro Bowls and was a Super Bowl Champion with Tampa Bay. Ranked #34 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Kevin Mawae. Center/Offensive Guard, SEA 1994-97, NYJ 1998-05 & TEN 2006-09. Mawae is a Semi-Finalist for the fourth year in a row and is also a past Finalist. He is also an eight time Pro Bowl and three time First Team All Pro Selection. Ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Karl Mecklenburg. Linebacker, DEN 1983-84. Mecklenburg is now a Semi-Finalist for the seventh straight time and he is a six time Pro Bowler. Ranked #66 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Randy Moss. Wide Receiver, MIN 1998-04, OAK 2005-06, NE 2007-10, TEN 2010 & SF 2012. This the first year of eligibility for Moss who was one of the most dynamic players ever. Moss was a four time First Team All Pro Selection who is third all time in Receiving Yards. Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Leslie O’Neal. Defensive End, SD 1986 & 1988-95, STL 1996-97 & KC 1998-99. Despite being eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2005, this is the first time that O’Neal has become a Semi-Finalist. He is a six time Pro Bowler. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Terrell Owens. Wide Receiver, SF 1996-03, PHI 2004-05, DAL 2006-08, BUF 2009 & CIN 2010. Owens returns for the third time in the Semi-Finals and he was a Finalist the previous two years. T.O. is second overall in Receiving Yards and is a five time First Team All Pro Selection. Of course, he already has a Hall of Fame jacket, whether he gets in or not! Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Simeon Rice. Defensive End, AZ 1996-00, TB 2001-06, DEN 2007 & IND 2007. Rice is on his first year of eligibility and is a former three time Pro Bowl Selection and Super Bowl Champion with Tampa Bay. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Richard Seymour. Defensive End/Defensive Tackle, NE 2001-08 & OAK 2009-12. This is the first year of eligibility for Seymour who was a three time Super Bowl Champion and seven time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #48 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Brian Urlacher. Linebacker, CHI 2000-12. Urlacher is Hall of Fame eligible for the first time in his career and he was an eight time Pro Bowl and four time First Team All Pro Selection. Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com.

Everson Walls. Cornerback, DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93. Despite being eligible for the Pro Football for nearly twenty years, this is the first time that Walls made it to the Semi-Finals. Walls was a four time Pro Bowl Selection and he led the NFL in Interceptions three times. Unranked on Notinhalloffame.com.

Hines Ward. Wide Receiver, PIT 1998-11. Ward is a Semi-Finalist for the second time in a row and he is a four time Pro Bowl Selection and a Super Bowl Champion. Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com.

This group of Semi-Finalists will be trimmed down to fifteen in January. They will automatically be joined by Contributor Finalist, Bobby Beathard and two Senior Finalists; Jerry Kramer and Robert Brazile.

As you can imagine, we will be paying close attention to that announcement!

The leader of the Tampa Bay secondary for over a decade, Ronde Barber had one of the most statistically impressive careers for a Cornerback in the history of Football. Barber is one of only two men to net more than 40 Interceptions and 20 Sacks and was the leader in Picks in 2001. He also holds the record for the most Sacks by a Cornerback.